The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 19 Part 3 A Young, Wealthy Ruler Would Not Follow Christ

 

This chapter began with Pharisees trying to entrap Jesus with His Words.

They asked Christ about divorce and remarriage and Jesus set the record straight according to God's law.

Then, Jesus' disciples tried to turn away parents who brought their children to Jesus seeking a blessing.

Jesus swiftly told the disciples in no uncertain terms that they must allow those little children to come to Him.

Again, this is in accord with the law of God and we looked at some examples of young children who were brought to the Lord at a young age.

Matthew 19:16  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 

Another man came to Jesus with a question regarding eternal life. 

Jesus' reply and the conversation He had with His disciples afterward, close out Matthew chapter nineteen.

Luke's gospel tells us that he was a younger man and that he was a "certain ruler" which means he was probably a judge presiding over civil disputes (See Luke 18:18).

We can see that this young man asked Jesus an important question with great sincerity.

He really wanted to know what it takes to have eternal life.

He gave Christ an honourable title, calling Jesus "Good Master." 

The word "good" means this young ruler viewed Jesus as an upright man, full of virtue, and of morally excellent character.

This title signifies a teaching Master and by calling Jesus "Master," the young man indicated his willingness to be taught by Christ.

He wanted to know what good thing he needed to do in order to receive eternal life.

He did not know the truth of scripture that says we are saved by grace not by works, so that no one can boast about their salvation (See Ephesians 2:8-10).

This young ruler had a firm belief in eternal life and he was convinced a place of blessing is prepared for those in heaven, who are properly prepared for it in this life. 

Therefore, he was concerned to make sure that he secured the blessing of eternal life with God in heaven.

Matthew 19:17  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 

Jesus asked the young ruler why he  called Christ good.

 Jesus wanted to help him see that God is always and only good, and the Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 

Therefore, Jesus is the full embodiment of the goodness of God toward mankind.

Psalm 145:7-9  They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. 8  The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9  The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 

The Psalmist declared that all the nations will sing of the great goodness of Jehovah. 

All people will acknowledge the righteousness, grace and mercy of God. 

It is a profound truth that Jehovah is good to all people. 

Jesus previously taught that the Father sends rain upon both good and evil people. He sends sunlight to the saints and sinners alike. 

Thus, God is good in the infinite, perfect sense of it, and it was right for this young ruler to apply that adjective to Jesus, the holy Son of God.

Jesus is engaging this young ruler in order to lead him to repentant faith in Christ, so that he might be assured of receiving eternal life.

Matthew 19:18-19  He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

Jesus' answer was very simple. He told the young man to "keep the commandments" which refers to the moral law of God.

The young man evidently desired more clarity so he asked Jesus specifically which commandments He meant.

Jesus' reply focused on the last six commandments which are about how we love our neighbor or family the way God wants us to love them.

God commandments teach us not to kill, not to commit sexual sin, not to steal or lie.

They teach us we must honor our parents and love others like we love ourselves.

It is apparent from the young ruler's question, that he already met the conditions of the first four commandments that define our relationship with God.

That is, at least outwardly, he honored God, but Jesus will show what is really in the young man's heart in this encounter.

He did not worship any other "god" but the One, true, Living God of heaven. 

He did not bow down to idols or make graven images. 

He did not take the name of the LORD in vain by vowing to do something for God and then reneging on his vow, nor did he live like a drunken fool.

He kept the sabbath day as a holy day to the LORD.

Jesus did not question the young ruler about his relationship with God.

Matthew 19:20  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 

The young ruler listened to Jesus reply and he said that he had carefully kept those commandments governing our relationships with other people. 

He must have been raised in a fairly religious home and he could say that he never transgressed those commands. 

We would agree that this man had good moral character, but perhaps you noticed that Jesus did not mention one of the Ten Commandments  in His reply.

Jesus only mentioned five of the last six commandments that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai.

The reason for this omission will become evident.

Matthew 19:21-22  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 

Jesus told the young ruler that if he would be "perfect" which means being brought to a living, growing faith in Jesus Christ, made complete by trusting the Savior for eternal life.

Therefore, in order to receive eternal life, Jesus told the young ruler to sell his possessions and give the proceeds to poor and needy people.

If he did this with a sincere heart, then he would lay up treasure in heaven for himself.

Why did Jesus instruct the young ruler in this manner?

Because Christ knew the thoughts and intents of his heart.

The final command of God's Ten Commandments was the one Jesus did not mention before. 

At this moment, Jesus brought that command to bear upon the young man's heart.

He did this to show that even though the young ruler was outwardly upright, his heart was still occupied with covetous thoughts.

Like each one of us, this young ruler needed a new heart and new spirit from God. He needed to be born again, just as Jesus told Nicodemus.

This young ruler was very wealthy, with many riches and much property. 

He could not bring himself to part with all his wealth in order to follow Jesus.

Thus, being rich became a great stumblingblock to the young man's quest for eternal life.

The last of God's Ten Commandments exposed the sin of the young ruler.

Exodus 20:17  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.   

This young man was caught by God's command against having a covetous heart. 

Coveting something that belongs to another person is a sin and is clearly forbidden by God.

This sin digs deeply into the heart.

Jesus previously taught us that looking on a woman with lust driven thoughts is the same as committing the physical act of adultery.

Jesus previously taught that allowing anger or hate to fester in our heart was a grievous sin to God.

Our Lord showed that the command against murder included hateful, angry or even murderous thoughts that we dwell on in our heart.

In this case, the young ruler had a love of money which is the root of all evil, and it can lead to coveting things that belong to others.

Even if we only think covetous thoughts, God's law condemns them.

Thus, the young ruler went away with sorrow because he loved money and possessions more than he loved God or his neighbors.

Matthew 6:19-21  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

When Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, He gave us clear direction with regard to where the focus of His disciples must be anchored.

Pursuing earthly treasures is an empty pursuit. Money, lands, possessions or experiences cannot fill the void that is in our heart due to sin.

Only God can fill our lives with meaning, with purpose and with beauty.

Only God can satisfy the deep longings of our heart.

Proverbs 23:4-5  Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5  Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. 

Solomon tells us that riches make wings and fly away, which is a way of saying how fleeting riches are.

One bad day in the financial markets can wipe out trillions of wealth.

Scammers use a variety of schemes to get unsuspecting people to divulge key information.

Once they have the needed information, they quickly access accounts and steal people's wealth or property.

Thieves still break into homes and businesses and steal all the valuables that they can find.

Thus, it is a fruitless endeavor to build one's life around becoming wealthy or having many possessions.

Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  

Jesus gave the key to seeing what this young man was lacking, with regard to eternal life.

His life was built around money, possessions, lands and status. 

Jesus said that we must first seek the kingdom of God and this must be our life long priority.

This spiritual kingdom is entered into only by being born again, that wonderful, transforming and regenerating work of God's Spirit See Titus 3:4-6).

Colossians 3:1-2  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

God tells us through the apostle Paul that every morning we must seek those glorious things of God that are above, in His heavenly realm.

This is why we must begin each day with reading the scriptures, and praying to God.

This pattern will set our longings, hopes and desires in heavenly things and will help us avoid falling into the trap of worldliness.

1 John 2:15-17  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 

The apostle John commands us not to be in love with the corrupt world because if we are pursuing wealth like the young man Jesus is addressing, then the Father's love is not in us.

Those who do the will of God are those who receive eternal life and the first step is exercising repentant faith in Jesus Christ.

The next step is being taught the beautiful doctrines and truths about God from the Bible.

This sets our path on the right track for spiritual progress in this life and living out the Great Commission so that we may bring others to heaven with us. 

The question before us today is, "Am I pursuing worldly pleasures or seeking heavenly treasure?"

Let us not be as that young, wealthy ruler who walked away sorrowful because he loved the world more than he loved God.

Let us be among those who take up our cross daily and follow Jesus.

Bob